Union minister of shipping G.K. Vasan on Wednesday said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), which bestowed the classical language status on Tamil, would also work towards getting the recognition of ‘national book’ for the Thirukkural.
In a brief interaction with presspersons, after inaugurating Thirumayilai Isai Aradhana Vizha, a music programme, Mr. Vasan said the demand for securing the ‘national book’ status for the Thirukkural, an ancient work on wisdom, values and ethics, comprising 1,330 Tamil couplets, was more from Tamil Nadu.
“This is one demand that has been reiterated by Tamil language lovers and scholars,” he said.
Noting it was UPA that had declared Tamil a classical language, the Union minister said in continuance of that work ‘we would work towards this (recognition as national book) too.’ Earlier, at the inauguration of the concert featuring 133 nagaswaram and thavil vidwans, he said, after the Bible and the Quran, the Thirukkural was the most translated work. It transcended national boundaries and those related to regions and languages.
Noting that music could do wonders, Mr. Vasan said playing of the nagaswaram and thavil were ‘mangala isai’ and a must for all auspicious occasions.
Urging organisers of the programme, Mangala Isai Kalaignar Nala Sangam, to continue with their work, he assured them of his support.
Central government counsel and legal advisor to the Sangam, S. Sathya, said the organisers were keen on organising a music festival on the lines of the Thygaraja Aradhana held every year in Thiruvaiyaru.
Wednesday’s programme was the first step towards eventually conducting the programme with 1,330 musicians, he said.
